Zoysite - New update! I hope you love it! I'm overjoyed to hear you enjoy my stories! Thank you so much! (To your other comment in another story - Feel free to write your comments in German! Translating it is of no problem to me!)

Witch68 - Thank you very much, they're long passed but holidays were good! XD I hope for you too!
Yea! I would be so scared, I'm already scared if I hear a strange noise in the house but I can physically go check it out and poor Ace has to rely on his other senses! Luckily it was just the cutest dog in existence! Brownie will protect Ace from everything if it was ever needed!

Wishfull-star - Thank you very much, long passed but I hope your holidays were well too! Yea, Brownie luckily just had a little tummy ache for a bit, but a good nap and cuddles with Ace fixed it all. AND he's getting a new squeaker! All is well :)

Marco was sweating, he could feel the droplets on his face, on his hands. He kept wiping his hands on his pants, so much that even Ace who couldn't see his fidgeting had questioned if anything was wrong.

"E-everything is alright, darling, I promise-yoi."

"Hmmmm, you sure? Do you need help?"

He watched how Ace glanced over the backrest of the couch towards the kitchen, Brownie jumping up next to him to look at him too. Both eyes so cute and intense!

"No no no-yoi" he quickly said a few time so Ace wouldn't get up, "I said I had dinner tonight and I mean it, I want to cook for you today-yoi."

"Lots of yoi's..." Ace whispered, squinting his eyes.

He cleared his throat, damnit, how is Ace so observant yet doesn't see a thing! "I'm just trying out some new things-yoiiioouuuu know, a new recipe. Making me a little nervous if it's not-yoi good." Aw damn, his tick even blocked him in the middle of a sentence... that's a new one...

At this Ace gave him a bright smile, "It will go fine! You're a good cook yourself Marco!"

"Am not..."

"You are!" The raven moved an arm, tracing over Brownie until he could pull him against him, faces hitting each other and smooching together. Ow god, Marco could melt at the sight, that was so adorable!

"Isn't he Brownie!?" Ace peeped in a high voice, "Isn't he! Papa Marco's an amazing cook!"

Woof!

"See! Hahahah Brownie agrees! Always taking care of usssssss. Yes he is, yes he is!" Ace laughed as he started ruffling Brownie who was getting excited.

Marco smiled softly at the sight, how someone like him was able to get someone bright like Ace still perplexed him every day. "Thank you-yoi." He said gratefully, "I'll do my best."

He got another beaming smile from his boyfriend before he watched him sit back down properly and heard him pat his lap. The sound quickly accompanied by the dog getting comfortable in the spot as Ace patted away at fluffy dog, even blowing raspberries on the fur much to the dog's delight.

He has never said it, but it was hilarious when Ace missed the dog, blowing a raspberry on the couch instead. Though, over time, Brownie has become a pro at catching all of the attention Ace wanted to give him. Was Ace's hand about to go over him as he went in to pet him? You can be sure Brownie would make a little jump to still touch the hand. Was the hand to low or Ace was going in to pet him while Brownie had actually just gotten up to go take a drink or anything, then be sure to watch out for the dog will act like a missile to get back to his spot. Running past and shooting under the hand before it reached too low and Ace would know he missed. Dropping down to the floor and sliding under the hand that was about to pat him in seconds, totally ready for the pats as if he had always been there.

He glared a little at dog because... If Ace went to give him, Marco, his boyfriend, a kiss. There were times when Brownie would try to catch it too! The dog would try to steal his kisses by pressing his own fluffy face in between them! Ace of course found it hilarious, but Marco saw the dog smirk in victory.

…... He was getting distracted... He shook his head as he turned back to the stove, dog taking up his mind while it should be Ace. … He loves Brownie though. Cute dog. Amazing help. Very fluf- Damnit! Ace! He needs to think of Ace!

He took a few breaths as he wiped hands over his jeans again, his right one brushing over something in his pocket. The thing making him nervous.

Glancing back he saw Ace still playing with Brownie, so carefully he took out what was in his pocket, hiding it in front of him. He was always worried Ace would see it somehow, feel the presence or whatever if he was trying to keep a secret...

A small red velvet box was in his hand and he brushed a thumb over the soft material. He had a reason that he was cooking dinner today. He was hoping to make it romantic for... for a special occasion.

They're closing in on 3 years living together, he had already wanted to ask the question a year before but... he didn't want to be too early and ruin things. Ace had never really mentioned... marriage... but... it couldn't leave his mind. He loved Ace. He loved Ace so much. He wasn't perfect, or well to him he was, he couldn't name things he didn't like about Ace. But he knew life couldn't always be perfect, wasn't always sunshine and rainbows. There would be times where they would fight, have a disagreement, it was normal in a healthy relationship. But the most important thing, he was willing to try his hardest to talk about it and fix it, to work on whatever their disagreement was about, together with Ace.

He had thought about lots of things for the future too, how it would go. Ace's blindness, he didn't choose for it, yet it came with its consequences in day-to-day life. And Marco accepted them, has been accepting them. He knew of the things they could never do together, simple things like really watching a movie together and seeing what was happening.
Namur had gone snorkelling with his wife on their honeymoon last year. Something that sounded amazing to Marco, but he knew he could never enjoy it the same way with Ace. They could snorkel yes, but Ace couldn't see the beautiful reefs, the colourful fishes. He wouldn't be able to show Ace any of this and experience the view together. Doesn't mean he can't enjoy snorkelling with the raven, he's sure Ace would be ecstatic to do it. But... it was something one had to think about. And he did. He had. Lots of times. To this day he had no regrets, and he doesn't see himself have any regrets of missing out on those things. He had found ways to have fun with Ace, have dates in different ways, so they both enjoyed it and had a good time.

Another thing he thought about... and he hated himself for it... he had... calculated expenses. It sounds so mean, so rude, so... unfair towards Ace... that he had even thought of this. Just for this he thinks he doesn't deserve Ace... but... still, he wanted him, he was selfish like that to still want him. Expenses he thought of included things like Brownie... it was mostly Brownie. Of course, they had other expenses, they had lots of gadgets in the house to help Ace, chose specific furniture and other things to accommodate him, but those, while more expensive than their regular counterparts, those weren't the end of the word. Hell, even that Ace's health-insurance and coverage was more expensive was doable. But Brownie, Brownie cost a lot, like... a lot lot. The service vests and accessories he need cost a lot. Lesson to keep up his learnings. Vet bills. Food costs. Insurance. The list keeps going.

Fortunately the smallest amounts being the re-occurring ones, buying Brownie was the most expensive which is luckily a one-time purchase... but one time a lot, A LOT! And... it would also re-occur eventually. When Brownie dies... which he hopes isn't soon, Marco wanted to give Ace another guide-dog. While Ace was living fine without him before, Marco had seen how Brownie made Ace blossom and make him really be able to live his life to the fullest. So he wanted to be able to provide that for Ace, to let him have this luxury.

But the only way he had been able to afford Brownie before was because he had had savings already and had his old man's money that he had gotten. However, if Brownie passed sooner than expected, and they had another dog, and it repeated again... he wouldn't be able to afford it. Even another dog in the next few years... Ace and him had been looking for a house together too and move out of the apartment. A house wasn't cheap either. He would be paying off monthly payments, a mortgage, finances that in these times were getting higher and higher. Groceries, gas, fuel, everything kept rising! And besides all of that they of course also wanted to have fun, have dates, just enjoy life. And once all that was over... there was still Brownie. Brownie's successor, an inevitable cost that would come above it all, that he would need to plan for, save money for for years to be able to afford it... or... go into debt buying.

He had cried over it... he wanted to give Ace everything he needed to live comfortably. But if due to bad luck their service dogs weren't able to work their full 8 years, if he didn't have that almost decade in between to save money again. He couldn't afford it. He couldn't. No matter how he calculated. How much he saved more. How much of his own fun he left behind, he just won't get to the requirement amount. Even without taking into calculations that prices for service dogs would probably rise too in the future...

Yet... with everything... he still wanted Ace. He wanted to be with him day in and day out, expenses attached and all! He'll probably break down if something ever happens and Ace's quality of life would go down... he would cry if he had to see Ace get stuck in the house for any reason... But … he wanted to take the risk. He would stay by Ace's side. Do his best to make life fun. He hoped Brownie would live his full life, and the next dog too, and the one after that. That everything they needed he would be able to get for Ace, for them. But he will never be sure. He'll apologize on his knees to Ace if he ever can't. But he still wants him. He wants his freckled raven by his side. See those misty eyes filled with love as they searched for him every morning. He wanted to marry him. And today was the day he was going to ask!

Wiping his eyes, he got rid of the tears that he hadn't noticed had been falling and put the last items on the table and checked over everything. He had their fancy silver wear out, Ace would know, they had more groves and ridges to get their fancy look so he would know instantly once he touched them. He had gotten a velvet tablecloth so Ace could feel it was different than usual and that it was soft, Ace liked soft things. He had flowers, roses, and he may or may not have just now spritzed them with the slighted bit of fragrance to make it obvious that there were flowers present too. He also had candles, fake candles so nothing would burn if knocked over. Those were more or less for him. There's no way he could make their presence known without really telling Ace. Yet candles were still a definition of a romantic dinner for him. For food he had made tomato soup as a pre-course, then spaghetti carbonara as a main course with a lot of bacon, and as dessert he had home-made chocolate mousse. And then... to really end it... he had champagne.

His plan was simple. Put the ring inside Ace's glass. Ace will find it and be surprised. He'll then propose and put the ring on Ace's finger after he had said yes. Then for after that, he had more dessert, because just chocolate mousse isn't enough for Ace. He had Ace's favourite ice-cream and made it into an ice-cake. They could then enjoy or well celebrate their life together, drinking the rest of the champagne and eating the ice as they cuddled on the couch, a nice romantic song playing in the background... maybe they could even do a small dance in their living room if Ace was up for it... He would pull Ace against him, let him rest his head on his shoulder as he held his waist, swaying softly to the music, he would-

"arco? Marco?"

"huh?"

"Is everything okay? I thought I heard you serve things already but now there's nothing anymore?"

Marco blinked looking down at the table, seeing he was just... sprinkling air over the soup he had already poured out... "Food's done!" he yelled before stuttering in embarrassment, "I-I mean, please come take a sea-yoi-seat-yoi, darling. I-I'm done. Yes. J-juyoi-just finished serving the soup."

Ace chuckled at the ticks, the blond was so adorable, clearly being embarrassed at being caught distracted. "I'll be right there. Off Brownie, basket."

The dog obeyed within seconds, jumping off his human's lap and going to lay in his bed, taking one of his toys there and starting to chew it.

"Let me get your chair for you, Darling-yoi." He smiled as Ace came up to the table, putting a hand on his shoulder to direct him where he had pulled the chair and he could sit down.

Without even trying to grab the chair, the raven sat down blindly, trusting his partner to the core he wouldn't just let him sit down on nothing and fall. "Thank you, you're such a gentleman ma- huh? What's this?" Ace blinked as he was pushed closer to the table and cloth slid over his legs, a tablecloth obviously, he wasn't stupid. But... he took parts of it in his hands, feeling the fabric in between his fingers. "Is this a new one?"

"Yes-yoi." Marco nodded as he took a seat at the opposite side of the table. "It's a red velvet tablecloth, do you like it?"

A smile came from the raven as he patted over the cloth, "Yea, it's soft! Is it like bright red or …"

"More of a deep red, like hmmmm," he hummed thinking of something to compare it too, something a teen Ace would know since that's when he could still see. "like ketchup... of course excluding those that seem chemically enhanced to be the brightest red ever."

A Chuckle came, "I love it. Ketchup velvet tablecloth."

He couldn't help but smile at the sight, nothing special happened, yet it feels like it did. "First we're having soup, Tomato soup, I put all the utensils down at the same time already, for all the courses."

"All the courses?" Ace questioned patting the table to feel for the spoon, taking it in his right hand as he held the edge of the plate in his left. It would remain there for the rest of the meal so he always knew where the plate was. "How much did you make? I feel like I am at a restaurant and, is this our fancy cutlery? I know we did the dishes, so we have the normal ones in the drawer."

"I want to best for my darling-yoi."

"haha so fancy silverware?"

"Fancy silverware to match you own perfect looks."

"M-mar! That's so stupid... thank you..."

"You're welcome-yoi" he smiled and started eating, Ace following suit.

As Ace was reaching the end of his soup, Marco casually asked if he wanted more. It was both to know if yes, the raven wanted more soup, but it also doubled to give a small silent message of 'hey, your plate is almost empty, no need to search around for more food.'.

"While this is delicious, I'm going to pass for now, I still apparently have a lot more courses to finish!"

Marco nodded, not verbally replying but scooting his chair back, an obvious message in his own. Going to Ace's side he kissed a freckled cheek, getting some giggles, before taking his plate away and going to the counter to put it away and start finishing the main course.

Sniff- sniff sniff-

"What?"

"Yoi?"

Sniff sniff sniff

"I smell... flowers?"

Oh Ace noticed! The smell of the soup probably having overwhelmed it before, but now that that was gone...

He felt a smile naturally form on his face, "There are flowers indeed, love. Can you guess which kind?"

"Which kind hmmmmmmmm."

Marco took a moment to look back, seeing Ace smelling the air, it was so adorable!

"I know these."

"You do, they're very popular."

"ehm... it's on the tip of my tongue ehmmmmmmmmmmmm aah it's like a guessing game!"

"Do you want a t-"

"No no no nno, I got this!"

He laughed at the determination, "I believe in you-yoi.". Taking a break from cooking, he took the fragrance bottle and opened it as quietly as he could, spritzing would make a sound, just to enhance the smell in the air for a little.

"Violets-….. Are they in a vase?"

"They are."

"Not violets then... they're not usualy in a vase..." he held his chin, tapping a finger on his cheek. He could almost picture himself walking in a garden, seeing the flowers next to him, but what were they hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Snapping his fingers he looked up and smiled brightly, "Roses!"

"Ding ding ding! We got a winner!" Marco laughed as he started making up their plates. "They're the classic kind of rose, hmm like... not red, but also not orange, they're..."

"Gradient? Like it switches."

"Yea, it kind of bleeds over in one another."

"That's so pretty!"

"I'm glad you like them, you can touch them if you want, I dethorned them." Marco said looking at the plates. He knew Ace knew the looks of basic roses, or remembered them, but he did wonder how he pictured them after all these years, especially when he was describes colours to it. It seemed difficult in his own mind to put other colours over object he knew. Like he knew what roses looked like, he always pictured them red, if you suddenly said they were blue, he had a hard time grasping it. So Ace is amazing for doing it. He's happy he likes them. "If you slide your left hand forward next to the cutlery, you will touch the vase, there's nothing in the way beside a napkin."

"Thanks!"

Finishing up the plates he turned around, only to freeze at the sight. Ace was smelling a single rose. He looked like a real prince, straight from the movies. So handsome, charming, beautiful.

After a moment he was able to place the plates down, Ace thanking him as he heard it and was about to try and put the flower back.

"Do you-yoi, want it in your hair?" he couldn't help but ask!

"My hair?"

"Yea, I can... put it behind your ear."

"Please!"

Gently he took the rose from Ace's fingers and snapped the stem a bit shorter. Ace was already turned a bit, holding his hair aside, making it easy for him to slide it behind the shell of the ear. He then gently cradled Ace's cheek, "you look stunning. Even more beautiful than in all my dreams."

A blush spread on freckled cheeks and Marco stayed still as hands touched his arm, tracing it and feeling their way up until Ace could grasp his face.

He adored how Ace would feel the contours of his face every now and then, feel his looks, look so in love as he did it.

After the hands settle on cheeks, Ace sat up straighter, lightly pulling Marco forward until he connected their lips in a soft kiss. "I love you, Mar."

"I love you too," he smiled putting his free hand over Ace's, while the other moved from Ace's cheek to brush his hair, lightly going over the flower, "So, so much-yoi."

A few more shared kisses later, Ace's stomach grumbled and they separated with a small chuckle. The rest of the meals went well, Ace loving everything and making sure to compliment everything, even questioning why Marco was so nervous since it all tasted heavenly!

The blond just laughed it away, Though, the real reason of his nervousness was getting closer and closer.

"A-yoi-Ace?"

"Hmm?"

"Would you-yoi care for some-yoi," God damnit ticks! They better not interrupt his proposal! "Champagne?"

"Champagne? You got champagne, like actual champagne?"

"Y-yea."

Ace cocked an eyebrow at that, they never got the real one, and combined with the velvet cloth, fancy silverware, meal, flowers, everything... "Are we... celebrating something that I forgot- oh god did I forget some special day?" he gasped, "it's not the three-year mark where we live together right!?" He knew that was around now, what if he forgot! Marco had done so much to celebrate, and he had gotten nothing! He quickly took his phone, pressing away on it to sound the date.

"No no no, it's not! It's not, don't worry, Ace-yoi!" He didn't want Ace to feel bad he forgot something. Yes, this was a special day, but Ace didn't know that yet. "I just wanted to spoil you today!"

Ace 'oh'-ed as he put his phone away, his calendar also not reminding him of a special day today when he asked. He smiled towards the direction of the blond. "Then please. Champagne sounds wonderful. You're too good for me, Marco."

"No, you're too good for me." He whispered as he lifted the glasses he had already prepped. Eyed the shiny band in the glass he carefully handed over to Ace.

Now he waited, watching Ace like a hawk as he took the glass with a smile, bringing up to smell it and a happy sigh left him.

"It smells amazing, it's been so long since I've had the real deal."

"Yoi-yea... me too." sweat was forming on his temple, what if Ace said no. What if he didn't want to be together. He wouldn't know what to do. His whole life, his whole future picture of life had Ace in it next to him, what would he do I-

"Is it safe?"

"huh?" Blinking he snapped out of his trance to see Ace frown. Why was Ace frowning! Oh god, was this really the end?! "wha-yoi-wa-yoi, sory-yoi-damnit-I-" he took a few breath, he could do this, he would take his rejection like a champ! A champ... that was going to cry in the corner forever. "W-what's-yoi-safe?"

"The Champagne."

"The Champagne? I don't-… Yes?" Why would Ace asked if the drink was safe? What did that even mean.

Ace hummed raising the glass before his unseeing eyes, swirling the drink.

God, Ace was glaring at the ring! He hated it!

"It's just... there's this clinking noise."

"Yoi?"

"Yea listen-" Ace swirled the glass again, the ring obviously hitting the sides, "Do you hear that? It's like there's something in the glass. I was just wondering if like it was safe to drink, like no piece of glass or something had fallen into it. Which is fine! It happens." He didn't want the blond to feel bad, these things really did happen but, "But could you check for me please," he gave a silly smile and he held the glass out, "because I obviously can't see it and while I don't mind sticking my whole hand in here to find it, I don't want to waste more Champagne then necessary to get it out?"

"Glass?" Marco murmured in question before his eyes widened and he took the glass quickly as he stuttered things he didn't even know as he made his way to the counter. "I-I –I'm-yoi-sorry!-I- omg- I didn't-yoi"

"Marco, Marco, breath! It's okay! I'm not mad and this didn't ruin anything you did the whole evening! It's as amazing as ever! I promise!"

"Y-yyea-I- I'll just- I'll get you a new glass- I-" He wanted to cry. How was he so stupid! He was a freaking idiot! How did he plan this all out and forgot, forgot that Ace wouldn't fucking know a ring was in his drink! HE CAN'T FREAKING SEE! He had somehow pictured Ace recognising the sound or like expecting it and blushing as he asked him to take it out, or took it out himself and then he could propose. BUT HOW THE HELL WOULD ACE COME TO THAT CONCLUSION IF YOU DON'T EXPECT IT! And even if you do, who in their right mind would assume themselves they're getting proposed to without knowing for sure and acting on it, that would be preposterous.

He was suddenly embraced from behind and his shoulder was kissed so gently, "Hey," the softest voice spoke beside him, "It's okay. Really. Please don't be sad. You planned out this whole evening, I loved every bit of it, it was so romantic, I like the most special person in the world."

"Because you are my special person..." Marco whispered softly, staring at the ring now laying in his palm, already wiped clean off the drink.

"And you are my special person." Ace replied back honestly, carefully kissing his partner's cheek, "I love you, Marco. Always."

Marco turned, embracing the other and burying his head in his shoulder, letting the raven pet over his back and his hair as words of love were whispered to him.

It took him a few minutes to gather himself and righten up, wiping his face. He probably looked bad right now. His face red and eyes moist from trying not to cry and really ruining the whole evening.

"You okay?"

"Y-yea, sorry."

"Don't."

"... okay. I... I'll take a new glass and... we can still enjoy?"

"Of course we can." Ace smiled, "We can still do whatever you had planned."

"Couch-yoi... I-… I thought we could sit... cuddle on the couch-yoi... with music in the background... and... I had Ice cream cake too, for later."

"That sounds wonderful, Marco." He carefully raised his hand, finding Marco's cheek and going in to kiss his lips, "I'll go take a seat. You, take your time, however much you need."

The hand pulled away and Marco watched Ace walk away and settle on the couch, but not without shooting him a smile. He then did as Ace suggested, just taking a bit of time to calm down, breath. He had put the ring away in its little box and back into his pocket, maybe... maybe another day.

A few minutes later he took the glasses again, no ring in either of them, and walked to the couch, once more handing Ace one before he turned on the radio to the prepped song and sat next to the raven. Even with the failed proposal, he couldn't help but smile as his significant other cuddled up against his side, not bothered by what to him must have been a mishap and genuinely still enjoying all the effort put into this evening. To this he put his free arm around Ace, holding him close against him, kissing the raven locks and letting his lips rest there. He'll find another moment and ask. Really ask, voice out the question and let him feel the ring so there's no chance of confusion. For now... this is good.

I felt a little sorry for Marco writing this but... Sorry not sorry Marco... You'll get there... eventually...